Williams stands down at Rovers

John Williams has ended his 14-year association with Blackburn Rovers by standing down from his role at Ewood Park with immediate effect.

Williams announced his decision on Friday morning, explaining he felt it necessary to leave following the takeover of the club by Venky's last year.

Following their acquisition of the club in November, Venky's has already removed former manager Sam Allardyce, replacing him with Steve Kean, and overseen the signing of four players in the January transfer window.

Williams told the club's official website: "With our new owners the Venky's Group, I have no doubt this is a new dawn for the club. There is a new order, a new way of doing things and I believe the time is right for me now to move on.

"I would like to take this opportunity to wish the club, its owners, management, players, employees and supporters all the very best for the future."

Tom Finn, managing director, added: "All of us here at Ewood Park, our owners and I am sure all our fans, would like to this opportunity to thank John for the contribution he has made during his tenure and we send him our best wishes for the future."

Williams joined Rovers as chief executive in 1997 and was appointed executive chairman in 2005.

He helped the club enjoy ten consecutive seasons of top-flight football despite working under financial constraints and was one of the most highly-respected figureheads in football.